I’m on a roll today!  Some days, talking here is a chore (mind’s a blank and ‘bod’ says “let’s run away from home, Fitzgerald!”); but today is one of those days when many messages flow!

Our first “Monday Moments” was on how important it is to exercise our brains-minds in order to stay mentally agile.  That leads me to continue the subject as I reflect on what it is that keeps us from atrophy along the journey!

Last Friday, I chatted briefly about one of my favorite sources of inspiration these days - in the form of Russell Watson and his incredible voice.  Just playing one of his CD’s sends me soaring into creative-city.  I bring this up because I realize this young man has an effect on my feeling young again.  He’s a source of inspiration that touches my core where linear life disappears and eternity takes hold.  Whatever it is about him and that magnificent voice; it does awesome things to this ‘old gal’ (oops didn’t mean to say that word!).

I firmly believe - no, I know - that what keeps “father time” from our door is continually being inspired by something or someone.  Whatever or whoever breaths energy into us at any point in life is a “whatever or whoever” we need to keep near. 

In other words, whatever or whoever ought to be part of our anti-aging strategies.  We’re so prone these days to think of anti-aging as only relating to what we put on our skin to keep the creeping lines from our eyes and various other asundry outward appearances of ‘chronological maturity’ from our faces.  All too often, we forget our inner life that needs anti-aging strategies as well.  After all, what we see outside is often a function of what’s inside!

I just did a mental calculation of the important folks in my life other than family. I discovered that most of my female friends, with the exception of several women I’ve known since school (grade school mind you), are at least 15 years + my junior.  When with them, I don’t think of an age difference and hopefully they don’t think of it either.  We share similar interests, make each other laugh, can be strategically honest and generally thoroughly enjoy each other’s company.  We’ve bonded as folks say.  What difference the years make - none whatsoever. 

Several years ago, I made a vow to “me” that I would rarely hang out with a group of women I’d known for years and usually enjoyed immensely.  However, at some point, the conversation turned to “age” and how we were “getting old”.  What had been either serious stimulating conversation or totally frivilous chat that regaled us with laughter, suddenly turned to the latest medicine each was taking and general chit-chat around the resentments of “getting old”.  I came away depressed and had trouble pulling out of it to take back my belief that I am “ageless”!  In fact, it became difficult to put on makeup without looking in the mirror and to look was too painful.

See how our internal mental image of ourselves can be ‘tweaked’ by others in such a way as to see ourselves in a mirror in light of their perception of who we are?!

Now I stay in touch only with those who think that the “golden years” are golden because we’re out of eggs and can laugh heartily enough for others to stare in our direction.

The point of all the above is to say be mindful of who we hang out with.  Pay attention to what “turns us on” (yes at our chrono-maturity we can still experience “turn on” and I say Thank God for that!).  Grab ahold of whatever or whoever it is that inspires us and causes the brain to turn back the chrono-clock to a time when the mirror didn’t reveal even the slightest wrinkle.  Even if “grab ahold” must occur only in our wildest dreams.

With that said, I’ve decided it’s perfectly appropriate to hang out with my newfound friends in the Russell Watson ‘fan club’ across the pond, as well as here in the ‘colonies’ and be as enamoured of youth, style, beauty, talent and charm as they are.  Why?  Because to do so is to say “life in the 2nd half of the journey - regardless of the season we find ourselves” - is worth kicking up our heels about.

And it’s worth putting folks who bring to life the spark of youth that remains within us forever in our “keeper” bag!  Just in case the descriptor “keeper” is foreign to you - it’s a phrase my dad used.  He’d grin broadly with that familiar twinkle in his eye and say. . “ah, now she’s a keeper!”

Seriously (oh must we be), do as we used to advise our children - “pick your friends carefully”.  And make wise decisions about the environments in which you ‘hang out’.  Add some internal anti-aging strategies to your shelf where you keep those awesome ‘fountain of youth’ products.

You’ll be glad you did and the mirror will say back to you - “you stunning woman you!”

Ciao! 

Linda

P.S.  Others I’ve put in my anti-aging strategies besides Mr. Watson are Il Divo (discovered and formed by Simon Cowell of American Idol fame) and Josh Groban - in that order!  If you love great music and awesome voices; check these beautiful young men out for yourself.  I’m sure you’ll find they take years and any forming ‘wrinkles’ off your soul.